Holder for dental thread or floss



July 14,- 1936. G. BARSCH HOLDER FOR DENTAL THREAD ,-OR {11 4055 Filed Feb. 8, 1936 Patented July 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT o F Fl CE Application February 8, 1936, 'SerialNo. 63,018 In Germany February 11, 1935 '20 Claims.

This invention relates to an implement for holding a length of dental thread -'or floss, of waxed "silk, for example, so that it may be efficiently manipulated in cleaning teeth.

Holders heretofore designed have been objectionable, due to the lack of provisions for effectively ten'sioning the thread. With the thread slack it is manipulatedwith difliculty and gives poor results. A principal object of the :present invention is to provide simple andgeasily operated means whereby the thread may be properly tensioned.

Desirably, the holder carries a supply of thread so that the used portion "may be quickly replaced. lt :is'an'other object of the invention to provide a rotatable thread carrying spool or reel, with convenient mounting means and control features.

Since the invention can most-satisfactorily explained :by reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it shall proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example, one practicalcom struction.

In the drawing:

Figure l'is a face view of the new device,

Figure 2 is a side view of the device,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but with;

the parts in different relation,

Figure 4 is a plan View of certain tensioning mechanism, shown separately, and

Figure 5is a plan view of :a thread carrying spool.

Referring to the drawing, the device comprises 'a body preferably formed of registering and spaced apart light metal plates I and 2, the plates being held together and in proper relation by spacing rivets, as at 3 and 4. The plates have registering extensions, as at 5 and 6', which lie closely together and are connected adjacenttheir extremities by the spacing 'rivets I. These rivets, being a slight distance from the tips of the extensions, formsuitable guides for the thread 8. The extensions provide fingers lying substantially side by side, that portion of the thread between the fingers being utilized in the cleaning operation.

A plate 9 is pivoted on the rivet 3 and hasa partial flange III which has a depth slightly less than the distance between the main portions of the body plates. Fixed on the plate and projecting therefrom in the same direction as the flange III is the stud II. The spool I2 has an axial hole 13 which receives the stud II, the latter serving as arotational center for the spool.

The plate ?9 also has a smalltongue "9a bent from it in the opposite direction from flange I'D.

InlFigure 3 plate 9 is shown as swung out of the body or housing, so that the spool may be placed on the stud. By swinging the spooland the plate in-a clockwise direction about pivot 3, the :plate may be brought to a position entirely within the housing, and wherein flange I0 lies between the marginal portions of the body plates I and 2, being shaped to follow the outlines of the latter. When the plate is 'moved to its inner position, the extremity of stud I I snaps into an opening I' l in platejl, this being permitted by the springiness of the metal of which the plate I is composed. The engagement of-the stud H in opening I4 serves to retain the spool carrier in the body. It may be swung outwardly by merely pulling outwardly on tongue 91]..

Spool 1-2 has plate metal -end flanges or walls which are circumferentially toothed in the manner particularly shown in Figure 5; the teeth being provided for a'-p1-1rpose which will be later described. Also struck from at least one of the end flanges of the spool is an outwardly projecting spring tongue I5 which, when the spool is in the body, will frictionally engage either plate I or -9 to brake the spool so that thread may be withdrawn without overrunning. Preferably, tongues are provided in both of the spool flanges, so that 'both of the plates I and 9 are engaged. The spool is arranged on the stud so that the thread is withdrawn from its outer side.

'Pivoted to the body on a pin I6 is a lever. generally designated as I 1, formed of sheet 'metal..

portions of the thread. Intermediate its endsv the lever is bent at .substantially right angles, and its side walls have inwardly turned flanges, as at I9 and 20, which serve to guide a pair of clamping jaws 2I and 22 for movement longitudinally of that portion of the lever adjacent pin I 6. The side walls also have inwardly turned flanges 23 and 23a adjacent the outer end of the lever, these serving as a finger rest when the lever is to be swung in a clockwise direction. At their medial portions the side walls are provided with outward bulges or protuberances 24 and "25, and adjacent pin I6 they present teeth, as at 26, these teeth being in the planes of the spool flanges and adapted to engage the flange teeth when the lever is' swung from the position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 1. "With the lever in the position of Figure 3, the outer extremities of the bulges 24 and 25 are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the distance between the inner faces of the body plates 1 and 2.

The clamping jaws 2| and 22 have extensions connected by a pin 21 which is connected by a tension spring 28 with pin ll, so that the jaws tend to be drawn toward the latter. Suitable limiting means for the action of the spring may be provided. The clamping jaws have inclined edges, as at 29, which are accessible through recesses in the side walls of lever I1. When the lever is swung to the position of Figure l, the edges 29 engage rivet I8, so that the jaws are cammed away from pin 5 against the action of spring 28. As this occurs, or slightly prior thereto, bulges 24 and 25 have engaged the body plates, so that the side walls of the lever are pressed toward each other and move the clamping jaws together.

With the spool in position, the thread 8 is carried across the fingers and between the clamping jaws in the manner shown in Figure 3. As lever I1 is swung in a clockwise direction, the bulges 24 and 25 engage the body walls so that the clamping jaws 2| and 22 are caused to grip the thread. If desired, these jaws may be provided with corrugations extending transversely of the thread in order to grip the latter the more firmly. As the swing of the lever continues, the clamping jaws are moved away from pivot l6, due to the coaction of the cam devices 4 and 29, so that the thread is pulled. In the meantime the teeth 26 have engaged the teeth of the spool flanges so that unwinding rotation of the spool is prevented, and, accordingly, the pull exerted on the thread serves to tension the same. Pull is also exerted on the thread through the action of the lever itself, since the lever is swinging away from the guide fingers. Also, with the teeth shaped as shown, the spool will be rotated slightly in a counter-clockwise direction, so that an additional tensioning action is provided. When the lever comes to the final position of Figure 1, the spool is locked and the thread has been thoroughly tensioned as a result of the series of actions described. In the position shown in Figure 1, lever I1 is within the body of the device, with the exception of its extremity, which projects somewhat in order that it may be grasped to swing the lever outwardly. Cam edges 29 terminate in recesses, as at 30, these latter and rivet 4 interengaging, Figure 1, to hold lever I! releasably in the body.

When the lever is swung out of the body, its side walls spring apart and release the clamping jaws so that spring 28 is enabled to move them toward pivot Hi to the position shown in Figure 3.

Since, with the interengaging teeth of the lever and spool shaped as shown, the spool is rotated slightly by the lever, the spool should be mounted so that its rotation will be in a tensioning direction. If locking is effected without preliminary rotation of the spool, it is, of course, immaterial which side of the spool the thread is led from.

The invention is not necessarily limited to the use of the full combination of elements shown and described, since various of the elements may be otherwise usefully associated, and while I have described a preferred construction, it will be understood that various changes in the form and arrangement of the parts may be made. Accordingly, I do not limit myself, except as in the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted on the body and having provisions spaced from its pivoting axis for engaging one end of the thread, said lever being swingable away from the ends of said fingers to a position in which the thread is tensioned.

2. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted on the body and having provisions spaced from its pivoting axis for engaging one end of the thread, said lever being swingable away from the ends of said fingers to a position in which the thread is tensioned, and means for holding the lever in such position.

3. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted on the body and carrying thread clamping means spaced from its pivoting axis, said lever being swingable away from the ends of said fingers to a position in which the thread is tensioned.

4. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a. lever pivoted on the body and carrying a pair of thread clamping jaws, said lever being swingable to tension the thread, and means effective to close the jaws on the thread.

5. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted on the body and carrying a pair of thread clamping jaws, said lever being swingable to tension the thread, the body having portions effective to move said jaws together to clamp the thread as the lever is swung.

6. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted on the body and carrying a pair of thread clamping jaws, said lever being swingable to a position within the body to tension the thread and said body having portions effective to move said jaws together to clamp the thread as the lever is swung into the body.

'7. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body and having thread-engaging means movable longitudinally of the lever to tension the thread.

8. In a device of the class described comprising the tliread,- and thread dlampingfiawswithin 'a"-body having 1 a pair'offinge'rs projecting there v saiii sidewallsfthe body' having portions engaging from in substantially side "by eide relatiom the combination of means for tensioning a thread ex-tending between 'the ends of th flr-igers, said means comprising a le-ver pivotee m the and having thread engagi'ng means mevable' longitudinally of the lever to tension the threadand means "effective *tomove said thread-engaging means as the lever is swung.

9. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body and having thread-engaging means movable longitudinally of the lever to tension the thread, and means effective to move said thread-engaging means as the lever is swung, said last-named means comprising coacting cam devices on the thread-engaging means and body.

10. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body and having thread-engaging means movable longitudinally of the lever to tension the thread, and means effective to move said thread-engaging means as the lever is swung, said last-named means comprising coacting cam devices on the thread-engaging means and body, said cam devices being formed to interlock when the lever reaches its final position for the purpose of retaining the lever in such position.

11. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body, said lever having yieldable side walls and being swingable to a position within the body to tension the thread, and thread clamping jaws within said side walls, the body having portions engaging said side walls to press the same toward each other and thereby close the jaws on the thread as the lever is swung into the body.

12. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers, said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body, said lever having yieldable side walls and being swingable to a position within the body to tension the thread, and thread clamping jaws within said side walls, the body having portions engaging said side walls to press the same toward each other and thereby close the jaws on the thread as the lever is swung into the body, said jaws being slidable along said side walls and they and the body having coacting cam devices effective to move the jaws in a thread-tensioning direction as the lever is swung into the body.

13. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of means for tensioning a thread extending between the ends of the fingers. said means comprising a lever pivoted to the body, said lever having yieldable side walls and being swingable to a position within the body to tension -said.. side walls to press the same-toward e'a'ch otherand therebyclose the jaws on the thread as thelever is :swung 'ir'i'to' the body, said jaws being slidable along said side walls and they and the body coasting cam devices efiective to movefithe jaws {in athread-tensioning direction lals the lever is swung into --the body, said cam-ilevices being formed to interlock when the lever reaches its final position for the purpose of retaining the lever in such position.

14. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a thread-carrying spool rotatably carried by the body and from which thread is led across the fingers, and a lever pivoted to the body and connected to the other end of the thread, said lever being operable to tension the thread and having a portion engageable with the spool to lock the same.

15. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a thread-carrying spool rotatably carried by the body and from which thread is led across the fingers, and a lever pivoted to the body and connected to the other end of the thread, said lever being operable to tension the thread and having a portion engageable with the spool to rotate the same in a threadtensioning direction and to lock the spool when the lever comes to its final position.

16. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a thread-carrying spool rotatably carried by the body and from which thread is led across the fingers, and a lever pivoted to the body and having a portion engageable with the spool to lock the same.

1'7. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a thread-carrying spool rotatably carried by the body and from which thread is led across the fingers, said spool having a toothed flange, and a lever pivoted to the body and connected to the other end of the thread, said lever being operable to tension the thread and having a tooth which is moved into engagement with the flange teeth as the lever is operatively swung so that when the lever reaches its final position the spool is locked against rotation.

18. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a plate pivoted to the body and swingable in and out of the latter, a threadcarrying spool rotatably mounted on the plate and movable in and out of the body therewith, thread being led from the spool across the ends of said fingers and its free end secured, means for releasably holding the plate in the body, and means for locking the spool against rotation.

19. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation, the combination of a plate pivoted to the body and swingable in and out of the latter, a threadcarrying spool rotatably mounted on the plate and movable in and out of the body therewith, thread being led from the spool across the ends of said fingers and its free end secured, means 75 for releasably holding the plate in the body comprising a stud fixed on the plate and about which the spool is rotatable, the body having an opening adapted to receive an end portion of the stud, and means for locking the spool against rotation.

20. In a device of the class described comprising a body having a pair of fingers projecting therefrom in substantially side by side relation,

the combination of a thread-carrying spool rotatably carried by the body and from which thread is led across the fingers and its free end secured, a. spring tongue on the spool frictionally engaging an adjacent body surface to brake the spool, and means for locking the spool against rotation.

GUILLAUME BARSCH. 

